Some people with personal injury claims opt to represent themselves in court or during settlement negotiations. After all, they are sure they will get paid. They argue that legal fees will significantly reduce the compensated amount. However, you cannot underestimate the benefit of a lawyer when filing a personal injury suit. This article puts forward a few compelling reasons why you need a lawyer when filing a personal injury claim.
One of the issues with self-representation is that it becomes difficult to determine the value of the claim. This presents a twofold problem. First, if you undervalue the claim, the insurance company or respondent will quickly pay up. It is challenging to seek additional compensation for your injuries after signing the settlement claim. If you overvalue the claim, you risk complicating the compensation process since there will be a significant difference between the insurer's offer and your claim. In most cases, you will likely become frustrated and settle on a lower amount than you would have received if you had given a reasonable offer.
Your lawyer's claim is backed by evidence to make it difficult for the insurer to counter the claim. Typically, the lawyer examines the expenses you have spent nursing the injury, the lost income and the financial impact of the injury in the future. For example, if you were shot, you may have to rely on rehabilitation and medications for the rest of your life. Conversely, some injuries may require you to undergo some training to be employed. The lawyer will also quantify the pain and suffering incurred due to the injury.
Most people who opt for self-representation do not comprehend the insurance process. For example, whom should you contact? What documents are required when filing the claim? How long does the insurance company have to respond to your claim? Once insurers know this, they will frustrate the process by asking you to attach additional documents when it's too late. As such, it would take years before you receive a counteroffer from them. Your personal injury solicitor understands the ins and outs of insurance operations. Therefore, they will use various strategies to hasten the process and ensure you receive your compensation in due time.
The insurance company deploys an adjuster to determine if you qualify for compensation. In some cases, the adjuster may ask questions to show you bear some blame for the incident. This will complicate the issue and reduce your claim. If you have a personal injury lawyer, they act as a middleman between you and the adjuster.
Personal injury lawyers practically guarantee fair compensation when you file a personal injury case. Always vet the personal injury lawyer to ensure they have the accreditations needed to offer legal services. Reach out to a local personal injury solicitor to learn more.